A warm arm flings across my waist, pulling me from my slumber. A sliver of light pierces through the curtains as I crack one eye open. The realization that I forgot to set the alarm on my phone last night has me slinging back the covers and pushing Melissa’s arm off me.
“Where are you going?” she asks groggily.
“I’m late for my morning run,” I say as I pull a T-shirt over my head. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Do you want any company?”
We both know she does very little running. If she does, it’s for show. She has genetics on her side, and thus far, it’s been enough.
“Nah. I like the time to myself. Clear my head kind of thing. My me time.”
“All right. I get it,” she retorts as she turns over and covers her head.
I don a pair of shorts and head for the door. No shoes needed for the sand. I’m barely to the first step when I spot Lourdes bent over in front of me. Her spandex-clad ass makes my cock twitch. They barely cover her ass cheeks. I divert my gaze to admire the orange hues of the sunrise. Seagulls sound in the distance.
“Morning,” she greets.
I mistakenly look down at her. Her tits bevel over her sports bra and tank. I swallow the lump in throat. I wasn’t doing a very good job of diverting my attention elsewhere. The quicker I start my run, the better. My dick is already at half-mast. From the looks of her posture, I’ve walked out on her stretching. For what? I’m not going to stick around long enough to find out the answer.
“Morning,” I mumble. I give her a slight wave to avoid being rude and begin my jog in the opposite direction.
Only she quickly matches my stride. “What are you doing?”
I pick up the pace just slightly, but she speeds up.
“Going for a morning jog. Same as you,” she answers as if it’s the most logical thing ever.
“Well, have a good one.” I try once again to pick up the pace, but once again, she won’t be outpaced.
For the next few minutes, we run together in silence. I’m impressed with her ability to keep up. When I finally slow to a comfortable jog, it’s no surprise she does the same. I continue past the point I reached yesterday. I don’t want to think about the reason. I mean, it’s not like I’m trying to extend my alone time with her.
Another few minutes pass before I slow to a brisk walk. Lourdes’s breathing is pronounced, but she matches my stride. Her short legs have to walk twice as fast to keep up. Taking some pity on her, I slow down because it’s apparent I won’t shake her.
“Your cardio is no joke,” she teases as she tries to hide how much she’s winded.
“It can use some work actually. Intermittent workouts while on this tour have me a bit out of shape.”
“Well, if that’s out of shape, I’d hate to see you in shape. It took everything I had to keep up with you.” She wipes a bead of sweat from her chest, and my eyes follow.
“So why did you?” She looks away before she answers.
“Do what?” So that’s how she wants to play it.
“Why did you work so hard to keep up with me? Why go for a run at all?”
“I figured I could use the workout—”
“Lies,” I retort, cutting her off.
“Okay, well, I needed the workout since I’m not getting the other kind of workout.” Her face flushes even more crimson than from just being overheated from the run. Little Miss Lourdes has just insinuated she needed the run because she’s not being fucked. My dick twitches again with renewed interest.
“So you’re basically telling me that you miss my cock,” I muse.
“Don’t be so crude.”
“Well, I don’t hear you denying it.”
She pulls her hair out of the messy topknot and runs her hand through the strands. “Well, the point is moot anyway. You have a woman occupying your bed at night,” she smarts off.
“Yep. And she’s still there. It didn’t stop you from joining me on my run this morning.”
A little oceanfront diner comes into view. I didn’t bring any money, but Lourdes is now heading that way, so I guess I am too. I’m not letting her off the hook.
“You know, you don’t have to be cocky and so full of yourself. Sorry I said anything.”
“Just to clue you in, my question was purely rhetorical. The minute you insisted on running with me this morning, I had the answers I needed. You waiting outside the beach house wasn’t coincidental. You planned this. You have me here with you, so now what?”
“I’m going to have breakfast, that’s what.”
“With what money? I didn’t even bring a wallet.”
“I have money. You can pay me back later or not. Your choice.”
She reaches for the case strapped around her arm, carrying her iPhone. She slides out a debit card and waves it in front me. Now I really do wonder how much of this she had planned, but I keep it to myself.
“We’re not wearing shoes?”
“So?”
“What if it’s a no shoes, no service kind of place?”
She rolls her eyes in frustration, and I have to admit I’m enjoying toying with her.
“It’s a diner on a beach. Not some fancy schmancy place. Besides, just give them one of your smiles, and I’m pretty sure they won’t even notice our feet.”
“Why, is that what works on you? My smile.”
“I’m hungry, so if you’re done being intrigued with yourself, can we eat?”
“I am hungry too, so yes, I’ll take you up on that offer. After you,” I say after I open the door to the diner.
A woman in her early twenties shows us to a booth near the window. It’s not even eight yet, and she has more makeup than should be allowed. Her dress is super short and matches the fifties feel of this place.
“What can I start you with, sugar? Coffee? Orange juice?” she asks, smacking her gum and pulling out her order pad. She gives me a quick wink, totally ignoring Lourdes.
“What would you like, babe?” Lourdes’s eyebrows shoot into her hairline at the endearment.
“Um,” she says tongue-tied.
This is quite fun. I grab her hand across the table. “Do you have any tea for my girlfriend. She likes Earl Grey if you have it,” I say to the waitress. “Would you like that, baby?” It’s the over-made-up waitress’s turn to blush. That serves her right for openly flirting with me without a care for the dynamics of the person I’m with.
“Tea is good,” Lourdes manages to get out.
“We don’t have Earl Grey, but we do have English breakfast tea.”
“I’ll have that then.”
“I’ll have the same,” I add.
“I’ll get you both started with some tea, and then I’ll take your orders.” She sets two menus next to us and walks off.
I reluctantly let go of Lourdes’s hand—immediately feeling bereft.
“So what was with all the babe, baby, and girlfriend stuff?” She doesn’t waste any time calling me out on my little game.
“Didn’t you notice that our waitress was flirting with me?”
“How could I miss her overt flirtation? I know you’re used to it, though. I mean, you are Diesel and all.” She cracks up at her jab.
“It was in poor taste. She had no way of knowing if you were my wife or girlfriend.” Lourdes waves her left hand, wiggling her empty ring finger. “Okay, well, girlfriend. Still, not all couples wear their wedding bands.”
“True. I don’t think she gave two shits either way, though.”
We’re both laughing when she returns with our tea. Neither of us have bothered to look at the menu in her absence.
“Are you two ready to order?” All flirtation gone, so my point was made.
“I’ll have waffles and two slices of bacon,” Lourdes rattles off without picking up the neglected menu.
“I’ll have two eggs whites, oatmeal if you have it, and a slice of wheat toast.”
“Yes, we do have oatmeal. I’ll get your orders put in right away.”
I catch Lourdes staring at me from across the table as she stirs her tea. “Didn’t take you for a tea drinker.”
“Maybe I just wanted to try something new.” I mimic her by putting just two Splendas in my tea before stirring. I take a sip. “This actually really good.”
“You know, tea is really good for your voice. Soothing to your vocal cords,” she points out.
“Hmm. You know what else is good for the vocal cords?”
“What?” she foolishly asks.
“Pussy. Or so I hear. I don’t really eat much of it, so I’ll have to test that theory.”
A frown mars her forehead, so I know her thoughts just went to Melissa. She takes another sip of her tea.
“It was a joke, babe. Lighten up.” I realize my mistake, but the words have already slipped past my lips. There was no waitress around to put on a show for. “So how is the novel coming along?”
I’m desperate to change the subject.
“It’s coming. Didn’t know if there would be a story to tell,” she admits quietly.
“I needed to blow off some steam, but I’d never leave the band.”
“But the way you left, Diesel,” she says, using my name. “You couldn’t be sure of that outcome. Your actions fractured the band. Well, between you and Xander. It’s put stress on the other guys to choose sides.”
“You don’t need to worry your pretty little head about it. We’ll be fine. Men aren’t as emotional as women. We fight, and then we’re over it.”
“It doesn’t look like you and Xander are over it. More like just staying out of each other’s way,” she presses. “What happened that night? What did Sevyn tell you that made you go apeshit?”
“I don’t want to talk about that night.” I grit my teeth. Just thinking about it riles me up. “Let’s just have a nice breakfast,” I suggest as the waitress sets our food in front of us.
We both eat in silence, but I can see the wheels churning. She’s probably trying to decide if she should broach the subject again.
“What are Lily’s and your plans today while we rehearse?” Another change of subject is good.
“Lily mentioned a little shopping. Xander told her that we were going to a nightclub tonight, so she wants to get something new to wear.”
Dammit, Xander. The guys did plan on going out tonight, but inviting the women along was nowhere in that discussion. I mean who brings sand to the beach? He could have just stayed home with Lily if he didn’t want to go without her. I just smile and nod. This has fucking disaster written all over it.
“That sounds like fun. I’m just ready to get some studio time in. Get back to doing what we do best.”
“I can understand that.”
We finish our food and wait for the waitress to bring Lourdes’s debit card back.
“I’ll pay you back when we get back to the house. Thank you for breakfast.”
“Don’t be absurd. I was just kidding earlier. You’re very welcome. No need to pay me back. Just treat me to breakfast next time.”
“What next time? Are you slyly trying to tell me you plan to join me on my run every morning?” That earns me a cheeky grin. She is simply gorgeous. No makeup, raven mane tousled, and still the prettiest girl in the place.
“I plead the fifth.”
“Mmmhmm. Come on, let’s get back. I’m sure the guys are up by now and champing at the bit to get to the studio we rented for the day.”
“I’m not running back,” she warns.
“Hell, me neither. I’m too full to run. They’ll just have to wait until I get there.”
I open the door for her and watch her ass as she walks past. I’m pretty sure the old-timers in the diner enjoyed the visual as well. I don’t know how I manage to keep my cock from swelling from the sheer memory of being inside her ass, but it definitely takes some effort.